>> In January, Jason Wu went from buzzy among the fashion community to internationally known, thanks to one Michelle Obama, and his Spring 2010 reflects the sudden change in pace: he's trying to go a little sexier, and little more modern to have an all-around broader ready-to-wear reach. He added knitwear, outwear, and daywear, launched four styles of sunglasses, and hopes someday soon to get into handbags and accessories.

"Have you ever become completely irritated by a box of chocolate? You know the kind: concept chocolate, artfully arranged in a just-so box, flavors exotic and trying. I’m afraid that was my overall reaction to Jason Wu’s collection on Friday at the St. Regis Hotel . . . He should try a little less hard is the answer. Not everything in life is a spotless decorator interior or a magazine spread. He should loosen up a bit. And why the uniformly short hemlines, six inches above the knee? That in itself is the sign of a fairly conformist outlook."